Founded by Melinda French Gates, Pivotal Ventures accelerates social progress by removing barriers that hold people back.
©$year Pivotal Ventures, A Melinda French Gates Company
Melinda
French Gates
Watch Melinda French Gates explain why she believes so strongly in removing the barriers that hold women back.
"Because when you lift up women, you lift up humanity."
Melinda French Gates
Philanthropist and Founder, Pivotal
Melinda French Gates is a philanthropist, businesswoman, and global advocate for women and girls.
For over 25 years, Melinda has led efforts to unlock a healthier, more prosperous, more equal future. Today, she heads Pivotal, an organization she formed in 2015 that works to accelerate the pace of progress and advance women’s power and influence in the U.S. and around the world. Previously, she founded and co-chaired the Gates Foundation, where, for more than two decades, she set the direction and priorities of the world’s largest philanthropy. Melinda is also the author of the bestselling book The Moment of Lift and the creator of Moment of Lift Books, an imprint publishing original nonfiction by visionaries working to unlock a more equal world.
Melinda grew up in Dallas, Texas and attended Duke University, where she received a bachelor's degree in computer science and economics and an MBA. She spent the first decade of her career developing multimedia products at Microsoft before leaving the company to focus on her family and philanthropic work. Melinda has three children—Jenn, Rory, and Phoebe—and lives in Seattle, Washington.
Moments That Make Us
Inspiring conversations with inspiring women
To celebrate her 60th birthday, Melinda spoke with seven iconic changemakers of all ages about embracing transitions, growing older, and the best advice they have to give.
$1 Billion Commitment
Advancing women’s power
In May of 2024, Melinda pledged an additional $1 billion over two years to support people and organizations working on behalf of women and families around the world.
Moment of Lift Books
Amplifying stories that need to be told
Moment of Lift Books, created by Melinda French Gates in partnership with Flatiron Books, publishes original nonfiction by visionaries who are working to unlock a more equal world for women and girls.
MasterClass
Making an impact through giving
Whether it's your time, money, voice, or skills, there are many meaningful ways to make a difference in the world. In this MasterClass course taught by Melinda, learn how to unlock your personal power to effect change through giving.
